Cancer 101: The Essential Guide

                                          Cancer 101: The Essential Guide

Introduction

Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases which human beings are tolerating

and it is also a major

cause of death all over the globe. More than a million Indians are suffering from

cancer and a large number of them die from it annually.

In the United States, an estimated 15.5 million people with a history of cancer were living as of January 1, 2016, according to a 2018 report from the American Cancer Society.

Cancer is refered to as any one of a large number of diseases which are characterized by the development of abnormal cells which divide uncontrollably and possess the ability to infiltrate and destroy the normal body tissue. Cancer often owns the ability to spread throughout your body.

Though cancer is the second-leading cause of death in the world. But the survival rates are upgrading for many types of cancer, we can immense gratitude to improvements in cancer screening, treatment and prevention.

What causes cancer?

In human body, cell growth and differentiation is controlled and regulated. In cancer cells, there is malfunction of the regulatory mechanisms which control cell division.

Normal cells have a characteristic called contact inhibition with the help of which contact with the other cells is helpful in inhibition of their uncontrolled growth.

Cancer cells have lost this property. Due to this cancerous cells continue to divide resulting in masses of cells called tumors.

Carcinogens which can be physical, chemical or biological agents induce transformation of normal cells into cancerous neoplastic cells.

Ionising radiations, like

1.      X rays

2.      Gamma rays

Non-ionising radiations like UV cause DNA damage which leads to neoplastic transformation.

Chemical carcinogens in tobacco smoke leads to lung cancer.

Viruses which cause cancer(oncogenic viruses) have genes called viral oncogenes.

Cellular oncogenes or proto oncogenes are identified in normal cells, which when activated under certain conditions, could lead to oncogenic transformation of cells.

What symptoms did you notice before being diagnosed with cancer?

There are different types of cancers which cause different signs and symptoms. Sometimes symptoms have effects on specific areas of our body, such as stomach or skin. 

Some apparent signs of cancer, like a lump, are known in better manner than others. But this doesn’t mean they’re more more likely to be cancer. It is necessary to check any possible symptom of cancer. 

Cancer is a complex disease. You can have cancer for years without development of symptoms. Other times, cancer can cause noticeable symptoms that can get worse very quickly. Many cancer symptoms have resemblance to other, less serious illnesses. If you are having certain symptoms that doesn’t mean you have cancer. In general, you should have a talk to your healthcare provider if in anytime there’s a change in your body that lasts for more than two weeks.

First symptoms of cancer

Some common early cancer symptoms include:

1.Unexplained weight loss.

2.Chronic tiredness.

3.Persistent pain.

4.Fever that occurs mostly at night.

5.Skin changes, particularly moles that change shape and size or new moles.

If left untreated, cancer may cause additional symptoms, including:

1.Bruising or bleeding more easily.

2.Lumps or bumps under your skin that don’t go away.

3.Difficulty breathing.

4.Difficulty swallowing.